A 28-year-old man is in the hospital recovering from injuries he received while trying to rob a Petro-Canada gas station in Nanaimo shortly after 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, May 26.
Police responded to a 911 call from station employees, who said the man stole the till and ran for the door.
The man appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance, and ran into the glass door while trying to make his escape. For reasons unknown, he threw the till and punched at the door.
Once outside, the man punched the garage bay doors of the station and shattered the windows, nearly severing his arm in the process.
The man quickly collapsed, but was immediately assisted by three pedestrians, who applied pressure and an improvised tourniquet made from a bungie cord to his injured limb.
The man was safely transported to hospital by paramedics shortly after.
Nanaimo RCMP credited the three pedestrians’ quick thinking for saving the man’s life.
“The RCMP will recognize them at some point in the future for their heroic actions,” said Constable Gary O’Brien.
Once he’s recovered, the suspect will face charges of robbery and mischief.
